FATCHECK For A Healthy Heart With Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) and Philips Malaysia

Taking care of my health is one of my main priorities especially my heart. Glad to be able to support FATCHECK For A Healthy Heart community education programme, a collaboration effort between Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) and Philips Malaysia.

Backed for the third consecutive year, Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) and Philips Malaysia unveils the ‘Six Secrets for a Healthy Heart’ campaign. FATCHECK For A Healthy Heart is also held in tandem with the World Heart Federation (WHF)’s annual World Heart Day celebration on 29 September, which seeks to increase awareness on cardiovascular diseases.

Most of us have the habit of neglecting our health by leading an unhealthy lifestyle which causes heart attacks and strokes. Thus, it’s advisable to eliminate tobacco use, eat healthily and becoming physically active so that we may lead a longer and more heart-healthy lives.

Have you checked your blood pressure yet?

According to the World Heart Federation (WHF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), heart diseases remain the number one cause of death globally with an estimated 17.7 million deaths in 2015, representing 31% of all global deaths[1]. Likewise, in Malaysia, diseases of the circulatory system make up the number one cause of death in Malaysia, comprising 27.7% of all deaths in private hospitals and 22.77% of all deaths in Government-run hospitals in 2015[2].

This year FATCHECK for a Healthy Heart programme has taken the approach of getting the public to take their health into their own hands with six simple secrets to a healthy heart. In line with this, the ‘Six Secrets for a Healthy Heart’ campaign has produced an advocacy video and will be mounting a series of educational social media posts to continue increasing the community’s awareness about cardiovascular diseases and the impact on Malaysians.

Having fun at the activities station

The educational video will shows six life changing ways to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle which reflect the behavioural risks identified by the WHO. These include:

Having a physically active lifestyle

Not smoking

Managing stress levels in our life

Getting regular medical check-ups

Eating a healthy diet

Practising low-fat heart healthy cooking, by airfrying meals

At the event, I learned a tip or two on making tasty, healthy meals using Philips Malaysia Airfryer. If you didn’t know, airfrying our meals is one of the best way to keep our heart pumping healthily.

Cooking demonstration by Chef Marina

According to Mary Easaw, Chief Dietitian of IJN, the key to heart-healthy eating is a balanced diet in moderation, and with variety. A high-fat diet is particularly harmful because it can contribute to excessive weight, high cholesterol and high blood pressure – all of which can lead to a heart attack. It’s such an awesome thought to incorporate and advocate low-fat cooking using the Airfryer as one of the six ways one can practice a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Members of the media having some fun at the booth

I’m certainly looking forward to learn to cook healthier meals. How? It’s easy, just watch IJN and Philips Malaysia series of cooking videos featuring recipes created by IJN’s team of dietitians to educate Malaysians on how to prepare their heart-healthy meals without compromising on taste. Guess, it’s time for me to get an airfryer in my kitchen!